{"id":293732,"date":"2025-07-26T16:37:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T16:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/293732\/"},"modified":"2025-07-26T16:37:27","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T16:37:27","slug":"frances-scene-stealing-tour-de-france-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/293732\/","title":{"rendered":"France&#8217;s scene-stealing Tour de France fans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n                        The Tour de France winds its way to the finish line this weekend, finishing in Paris on Sunday, so here&#8217;s a look at some of the dedicated fans who have been known to hog the limelight with their fun costumes.\n                    <\/p>\n<p>Tour de France spectators are known for their enthusiasm \u2013 which can border on the excessive as they&#8217;ve been known to get too up close and personal with the riders. But it&#8217;s their funny, over-the-top and often downright eccentric get-ups and banners that sometimes steal the show.<\/p>\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s &#8216;simple&#8217; head-to-toe polka dots \u00e0 la jersey awarded to the King of the Mountains to various furry animals, an out-of-season Santa Claus, the Pope and even, um, genitalia, those watching like to get creative.<\/p>\n<p>These are some of our favourites from this year&#8217;s race.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830622\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rsz_afp__20250723__67kg8t4__v1__midres__cyclingtdf2025spectatorscostume.jpg\" alt=\"A spectator in costume looks on along the race route during the 15th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 169.3 km between Muret and Carcassonne, southwestern France\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A spectator in costume (presumably Celine Dion from the helpful sign) looks on along the race route. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830621\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rsz_1afp__20250724__67qm464__v1__midres__cyclingtdf2025stage18.jpg\" alt=\"Spectators in costume cheers along race route in the ascent of Col de la Loze during the 18th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 171.5 km between Vif and Courchevel Col de la Loze, in the Alps, southeastern France\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Spectators in polka dots and, yes, inflatable genitalia costumes cheer the riders on. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830569\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250723__67KG6ZQ__v1__MidRes__FilesCyclingTdf2025SpectatorsCostume.jpg\" alt=\"(FILES) Spectators line the race route in the ascent of Mont Ventoux during the 16th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 171.5 km between Montpellier and Mont Ventoux\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A group of spectators sport matching skintight pink all-in-ones line the race route on the ascent of Mont Ventoux. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830566\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250723__67KG4WE__v1__MidRes__FilesCyclingTdf2025SpectatorsCostume.jpg\" alt=\"(FILES) A spectator in a pope costume lines the race route in the ascent of Col d'Aspin during the 14th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 182.6 km between Pau and Luchon-Superbagneres, in the Pyrenees mountains of southwestern France\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The &#8216;pope&#8217; was in attendance this year, too. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830578\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250724__67QP2V3__v1__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage18.jpg\" alt=\"A spectator in a Santa Clause costume rings a bell along the race route in the ascent of Col de la Loze during the 18th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 171.5 km between Vif and Courchevel\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A spectator dressed up as Santa Claus \u2013 because why not \u2013 rings a bell along the race route. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It all makes dressing up as a panda look pretty normal.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830620\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rsz_afp__20250723__67kg6t4__v1__midres__cyclingtdf2025spectatorscostume.jpg\" alt=\"A spectator in costume looks on along the race route during the 15th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 169.3 km between Muret and Carcassonne, southwestern France\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This panda was watching the race on July 20, 2025. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And sometimes people want to just let it (almost) all hang out.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830579\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250724__67QV8M9__v1__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage18.jpg\" alt=\"(From L) Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe team's Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic, Team Picnic PostNL team's British rider Oscar Onley, UAE Team Emirates - XRG team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, Team Visma - Lease a bike team's Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard and UAE Team Emirates - XRG team's British rider Adam Yates cycle in the ascent of Col de la Loze during the 18th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 171.5 km between Vif and Courchevel Col de la Loze\" width=\"1799\" height=\"1200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A man in a fluorescent Borat-style mankini steals the show. (Photo by Bernard PAPON \/ POOL \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830573\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250723__67L3932__v1__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage17.jpg\" alt=\"Spectators wearing kilts line the race route during the 17th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 160.4 km between Bollene and Valence, southern France\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Bare feet, kilts, and pants: does it get any more Scottish? (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hats are also a big deal among those watching.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830588\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250725__67VW3GX__v1__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage19.jpg\" alt=\"A spectator wearing a hat adorned with minitature cyclists looks on at the finish line area on the summit of La Plagne during the 19th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France \" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A spectator wearing a hat adorned with miniature cyclists looks on at the finish line area on the summit of La Plagne. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830570\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250722__67GU33L__v4__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage16.jpg\" alt=\"Spectators line the race route in the ascent of Mont Ventoux during the 16th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 171.5 km between Montpellier and Mont Ventoux\" width=\"1799\" height=\"1200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Another spectator sports a hat decorated with mini cyclists. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250724__67QM48F__v1__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage18.jpg\" alt=\"Team Jayco AlUla team's Australian rider Ben O'Connor cycles in a breakaway in the ascent of Col de la Loze during the 18th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 171.5 km between Vif and Courchevel Col de la Loze, in the Alps, southeastern France\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Umbrella hats cover all weather eventualities. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830568\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250722__67GU33J__v1__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage16.jpg\" alt=\"Spectators line the race route in the ascent of Mont Ventoux during the 16th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 171.5 km between Montpellier and Mont Ventoux, southern France\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes only traffic cones will do when supporting the riders. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And, at other times, it&#8217;s a different kind of riding you need.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250723__67LB6WZ__v8__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage17.jpg\" alt=\"A man on horseback rides alongside the pack of riders (peloton) during the 17th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 160.4 km between Bollene and Valence, southern France\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A man on horseback rides alongside the peloton. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And let&#8217;s not forget the banners.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830623\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/rsz_afp__20250723__67kg7g3__v1__midres__cyclingtdf2025spectatorscostume.jpg\" alt=\"A spectator in a stormtrooper mask holds a placard along the race route during the 15th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France \" width=\"900\" height=\"600\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A spectator in a stormtrooper mask holds a placard to spur riders on. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250724__67QH98E__v1__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage18.jpg\" alt=\"Spectators with a placard which reads &quot;You're a skilled bastard, get over the hill and think of Ricard [french liquor]&quot; gather near the finish line area at the summit of Col de la Loze, under low cloud cover, during the 18th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 171.5 km between Vif and Courchevel\" width=\"1799\" height=\"1200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Spectators with a placard which reads &#8220;You&#8217;re a skilled bastard, get over the hill and think of Ricard [French liquor]&#8221; gather near the finish line area at the summit of Col de la Loze. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>But sometimes it all goes a bit too far. Like when one brazen prankster actually tried to cross the finish line before the riders, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocal.fr\/20250725\/tour-de-france-prankster-gets-eight-month-suspended-term-for-crossing-finish-line#:~:text=A%20man%20has%20been%20handed,prosecutor%20told%20AFP%20on%20Friday.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">earning himself an eight-month suspended sentence in the process<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-830565\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AFP__20250723__67LM2KT__v2__MidRes__CyclingTdf2025Stage17.jpg\" alt=\"A French Republican Security Corps (CRS - Compagnies Republicaines de Securite) officer tackles an individual attempting to cycle across the finish line minutes before the final sprint of the 112th edition of the Tour de France \" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A French Republican Security Corps officer tackles an individual attempting to cycle across the finish line minutes before the final sprint between Bollene and Valence, southern France, on July 23, 2025. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO \/ AFP)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Tour de France winds its way to the finish line this weekend, finishing in Paris on Sunday,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":293733,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5309],"tags":[2000,299,36],"class_list":{"0":"post-293732","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-france","8":"tag-eu","9":"tag-europe","10":"tag-france"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114920519151606092","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=293732"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293732\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/293733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=293732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=293732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=293732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}